Industrial equipment supplier Atlas Copco has expanded its range of low-pressure oil-free rotary screw compressors with the addition of the new ZE 3.

Specifically manufactured to operate in a broad spectrum of pneumatic conveying industrial applications, this low-pressure oil-free rotary screw compressor ensures a continuous 100% oil-free air supply at the lowest possible life-cycle cost.

“The ZE 3 low pressure compressors incorporate Atlas Copco’s latest and well-proven oil-free screw element, a robust gearbox, and an IP55 motor which is completely enclosed for protection from dust ingress,” affirms Atlas Copco oil-free air division business line manager JC Lombard.

With the introduction of the new ZE 3, Atlas Copco offers a solution to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) that, in the past, often faced a limited choice of compressor manufacturers that could provide a reliable compressed air source.

“Owing to the optimal process and cooling airflow design, the machines are protected against extreme ambient temperatures.”

These superior quality, economical compressors provide a perfect solution to OEMs that require continuous and reliable flow of compressed air in dusty and harsh environments. Customers will benefit from the high-quality standards of the existing ZE/ZA range but at a lower initial cost and further reduced total cost of ownership.

Owning to an innovative design, “Atlas Copco has significantly reduced the total cost of the complete unit while further increasing efficiency by 7%, compared with the previous ZE 2 and ZE 3 models,” explains Lombard.

Flexibility is an important feature of the ZE 3 compressors. Its compact plug-and-play design makes the unit suitable for any type of indoor or outdoor application.

He adds that the new silencer design eliminates pulsation, while the insulated canopy reduces noise levels and provides excellent protection for the machine in harsh working environments. This compressor targets the cement, gypsum, food and beverage, power, pharmaceuticals and glass industries for applications such as conveying, bulk handling, materials handling and processing systems. It is also suitable for truck unloading, for example, cement or flour.

Additionally, customers have the flexibility to change the scope of supply. For example, Atlas Copco is able to deliver the compressor without a motor or starter if requested.

“We can also provide machines that are capable of operating at ambient temperatures between –0 ºC up to 50 ºC,” states Lombard.